AATM is THRILLED today to present you with our special guest - the lovely and talented Ms. Paige O'Hara - Belle. Please go give the show a listen - it was a WONDERFUL interview, and just a taste of some of the magic we have in store for you all as the year goes on!!! Trust me - we're just getting started!Now...onto business.
First - I did Lake Serene this morning (2.8 miles) in 42 minutes. A 15 minute pace. Slower than I'd like, but after not running for three days, I'm not surprised I ended up with a shin splint. I stretched and I'm good.
Now - I need to address a few issues that have come up in recent days.
1. I want to thank everyone. Your comments mean the world to me - and even when I disagree with you, or feel like you're coming down on me, or feel defensive, the fact that you're willing to care enough to tell me what you think means an incredible amount. Please keep going. And Rae - NEVER hold your tongue.
2. Success and Training - I have to disagree with mgreene from yesterday. Yes, John Bingham is a back of the packer. But frankly - so am I. I haven't run for 25 years. I've barely been running for a year - before that I was barely walking. Even though I've lost 85+ pounds, I'm still over 280. I haven't even started my training plan, and we're questioning it. But I'm dedicated to it, despite my challenges. Does that mean I can't succeed with this training plan?
Certainly not - it just means we've forgotten what "success" means. And it means something different to us all. That's what Team Voice is all about, right? Many Goals, One Voice. Well what's my goal?
To successfully compete in, AND FINISH, the Walt Disney World Half-Marathon. And get fitter and healthier on the way. Maybe next years goal will be to improve my time. But I'm not in this to win against everyone else. Just against me. And that, my friends, is success to me. If I can cross the finish line NOT on a bus. I've won. And that doesn't make me right, or someone else wrong. It just means we have MANY GOALS.
Which is a perfect segue to:
3. THE 5K DEBATE - I've decided not to run a "formal" 5k prior to this race. I consulted with my trainer to find out if that was a huge mistake. I've asked other runners. Opinions are all over the place. And as such, I've chosen to follow my heart. This is not about being prepared in any way - here's my explanation:
I am an experiential person. And this journey to this race has been a monumental one for me. Life altering. There are times when I'm moved to tears by what I've accomplished thus far, and how many of you are willing to "walk" with me. And the goal? The big shiny golden ticket at the end?
Yes - the race. Main Street. EPCOT. The finish line. And my Donald medal.
Part of the build up to all that is focusing all that energy in soaking up every second of it and making it incredibly special to me as my first ever race. Burning the experience into my soul. And for me, I know, that a "practice" race beforehand, would take something away.
So I choose to keep the experience intact for myself. And I know that if I train well, I will not injure myself, and I will finish, and finish happy.
Now it's not all wine and roses here folks....
4. FOOD INTAKE. Yes, Rae. I've been lazy lately. And I recognize it. And garbage in, garbage out. Bad food = bad results. But I'm not giving up. And every day I have a slip, I say to myself, "don't do that tomorrow". This has been a huge adjustment for me - I used to eat four to five pastries daily - fast food - fried chicken - candy - all in one day. Let's face it - I was begging to die early.
Now I occassionally indulge. I shouldn't - because I'm training. But I do sometimes. It's nowhere near where it was, and I try to combat it quickly.
But here's the pledge I make to you and to myself now. Despite a BBQ tonight, Amber's birthday dinner tomorrow, and Boston in two weeks - I will not get thrown off course. I will continue to plan my meals carefully and stick to my plans. I will take care of my body - and continue to lose weight. I believe in my abilities. I've come this far.
My friends...
WE ARE A TEAM.
We have all committed to better health through running. Better life through Disney running. And better karma through helping others run and/or sponsoring sick children.
I'm proud of each and every person reading this blog. I love each and every person reading this blog. Please do not think I'm upset or coming down on any one. Far from it.
I want us all to succeed. I want us all to raise a glass at the "We Go On" meet on Saturday night. We will celebrate together - all of us - our individual goals, our individual successes, and our team!
I promise not to give up on myself nor my team. Will you promise me the same thing? Don't give up on yourself, or our team?
If you're willing to promise it - then all together now - say the three words with me! The three that started this quest!!! READY!?!?!?
ONE...
TWO...
THREE!!!!
MAIN STREET AWAITS!
MAIN STREET AWAITS!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's okay with me if you don't run a 5K. I think it would be helpful but it's up to you -- I believe you can still complete the 1/2 marathon as long as you train properly.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure why you're streching the plan into 2 weeks of each 1 week segment. Why not get fit in the 12 week plan and then maintain to race day? Is the goal to just get through it or to get healthy?
I agree that everyone is an individual and we all need to pick our own path to success. So you do what seems right to you to win this.
As for Saturday night...I'll be getting up about 3:30AM on Saturday and Sunday so I'm going to pass on the 9PM meet on Saturday night. :-D
Kate
here here! i have the same book and i like it a lot. i think it is a different perspective between the "real" runners and we looking to meet a goal anyway. and that shouldn't diminish either in any way!
ReplyDeletei actually think i am going to do the walk plan then do the running plan, as opposed to just stretching one out.
i for one sooooo appreciate the ups and downs that you do post and the honesty! the difference, and i know the part that made me finally be successful in weight loss and getting healthier, is keep moving forward! NOT to get overly bogged down in the slip ups. the difference between now and then? not giving up on EVERYTHING when i have a bad day or week (like my last two. up 2 pounds, no running. arg!)
keep it up! and good luck this weekend - the food looks good over at the cook out... its gonna be a tough one!!!!
:)
Main Street Awaits!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you for first wanting to do this race and the weight loss life changing goals.
I to just want to finish the race. I am not out to beat anyone. I am out to make sure you finish. You have worked p hard, and you have your heart set on it and I have been one of the harshest on you. I agree with Kate. Ok so you fell to the gas station gods. I know you do not do it all the time. But I will be here shaking my head, rolling my eyes,and yelling at my pc, hugging it too.
I will always be here watching.
Yes we Disney people get up, and smile and keep going.
Don't you forget it!! Next time the gas station calls you, think of me rolling my eyes.
Happy Birthday to Amber!!
BTW we are standing on Main Street!
Main Street Awaits!
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you for first wanting to do this race and the weight loss life changing goals.
I to just want to finish the race. I am not out to beat anyone. I am out to make sure you finish. You have worked p hard, and you have your heart set on it and I have been one of the harshest on you. I agree with Kate. Ok so you fell to the gas station gods. I know you do not do it all the time. But I will be here shaking my head, rolling my eyes,and yelling at my pc, hugging it too.
I will always be here watching.
Yes we Disney people get up, and smile and keep going.
Don't you forget it!! Next time the gas station calls you, think of me rolling my eyes.
Happy Birthday to Amber!!
BTW we are standing on Main Street!
We're all in this together, and a lot of our experiences are similar -- bad food days, missed training, mild injuries, gas station mistakes (Hostess Ding Dongs for me)! But, most of our training -- techniques, weekly mileage, longest runs, average pace -- are all vastly different.
ReplyDeleteBut what's MOST important is that we are DOING THIS! And we've been doing it for almost seven months!
And honestly, for me, the fact that I will have worked for a year towards this goal is really more important than what happens at the race.
So let's just keep supporting each other until the big day arrives!
Main Street Awaits indeed....
ReplyDeleteI think the many goals piece applies to me for sure since I keep changing my goals as training progresses! In February I started to train, never really "running" in my life, and just hoped/wished to just finish 13.1 miles. After a couple of months of training, dang, I really surprised myself and what I could do.
Yeah, yeah, great for me, right? Well, the point being that if you really throw yourself into this thing you may achieve as much along the path to Main Street as when you actually pass through Main Street! Just don't sell yourself short on the journey is all I'm sayin'. :-)
Can't wait to toast not only the Half-Marathon success, but ALL of the success of this team throughout this year of training!
GO TEAM VOICE!
MAIN STREET AWAITS!!!
ReplyDeleteDeb states a fact very well.
"most of our training -- techniques, weekly mileage, longest runs, average pace -- are all vastly different."
To that, I add this. "They should be." We are united in a primary goal. Yet we each have individual goals too. To get there each of us has to progress forward in our own way. We each started from different points regarding our health and fitness levels.
We will all progress differently as well. We will cross the finish line at different times. But EACH of us WILL cross that line.
The key word being "progress" You certainly should know (and I believe you do) that comments coming from me are never indended to put your efforts down. Quite the opposite in fact. We all need a nudge now and then. That is what I was trying to do a couple posts ago.
Jonathan, before Team Voice existed you inspired me to get my sorry ass back off the couch and running again. Prior to Mousefest it seemed that you where having difficulty finding your groove and sticking with it.
Since the first of the year I have seen a new Jonathan emerge. I believe you found your stride. We as your fellow Team Voice members and friends will step up and do what we can to support you and keep you moving forward. NEVER LOOKING BACK. I expect nothing less from the team for myself. The Team support and tough love helps make this thing work. But in the end we each need to step up and put in the work.
Before closing let me also second a quote from Kate "Why not get fit in the 12 week plan and then maintain to race day?"
I like what she says here. This approach could lend itself to greater confidence as the half draws closer.
I wonder why it posted mine twice?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jeff and Chris too. We all came together with one goal.The WDW Half Marathon. We all are at many different levels.We all are doing this together. Even on the tough days. Rough days and just plain bad days.
But when The dust settles,who is going to be there?? We all are. No matter when we cross that finish line.
But we can support each other, as we do, then we all have to step up and put it to work.
Main Street is waiting here. I know I was standing on it today. I was looking at he castle and getting all excited knowing what WE all are going to be doing here soon. Coming through the Castle. The emotional roller coaster we all are going to be on when we run through it. Can you see it?? All the hard work is going to pay off when we get to go through the Castle. ANd then when you enter the back of Epcot. You will know you do not have far to go,and Spaceship earth is getting closer, you are tired and you can't stop cause the FINISH Line is just around the corner. Then just before you pass under SSE, there it is Mile 13, just .10 from there is the Finish line.You turn the corner, and you see it people are cheering you on, yelling your name, And you can hear the chip checking in when you go under the finish line.That is such a grand feeling!!!!! Who are you going to see there, Team Voice. Seeing it through to the end. Or is it the beginning??
Disneyland 09'
Not much to add to the great comments already, but just want to emphasize you are right in sticking to your goal of finishing. We all started at different levels and are all at different places. Considering where you came from, working up to completing the race in proper pace is a huge leap. If you worry about a great time, you will just end up killing yourself over-training.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Finish this year, then work on improving for next year.